Radical ions from and spin adducts to 1,2-dimethyl-3,4-bis[(2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl) phosphinidene]-1-cyclobutene

The radical cation and anion of the title compound were obtained either by treatment with mercury trifluorocatetate in trifluoroacetic acid or by reduction with potassium in tetrahydrofurane. For both species the ESR spectra indicated magnetic non-equivalence of the two phosphorus atoms, as well as of the two methyl groups. Spectra attributed to the corresponding spin adducts were also observed when reacting the title compound with in situ-generated alkoxyl and thiyl radicals. MO calculations carried out for both the ionic radicals and the neutral spin adducts led to questioning the actual nature of some of the latter species.